Euro 2008 Pre-match Analysis: Italy vs France Live Online
June 16, 2008 by Kerron
European Championships, Group C
Teams: Italy (3rd, 1pt) vs France (4th, 1pt)
Date and Time: Tuesday 17 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Venue: Letzigrund Stadion, Zürich
On the brink of elimination
The Azzurri and Les Bleus are both on the brink of elimination from the group stages of Euro 2008, with both teams booked as possible favorites for Euro 2008, neither has lived up to their expectations. As such neither team thought qualification for the knockout stages of Euro 2008 would be up to a repeat of the Euro 2000 final.
If the Romanians beat Holland who have already qualified in the other match in the group, then the result in the Italy-France match would be irrelevant as neither would qualify.
With neither the world champions nor the French assured a spot in the quarter final, winning tomorrow’s game must be the last chance for either team, who have looked a shadow of themselves throughout the competition. Both teams however, have been plagued by injury to key players ahead of their opening matches and will feel that this may have affected their team performance.
France will feel confident they can beat the world champions having beaten them 3-0 in qualifying and drawn the return tie 1-1.
A Look at the teams
Italy
Roberto Donadoni made five changes for the Romanian game, and it is possible he will make changes to the team for the repeat of world cup 2006 final with France. The two players who seem certain to be dropped are Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Del Piero, with Antonio Cassano definitely coming in for the latter. Even though it is a speculative move to drop Pirlo, Coach Donadoni may be trying fresh tactics, but with no one to replace Pirlo, he could start.
Possible Starting XI: Buffon; Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Pirlo, De Rossi, Aquilani; Cassano, Toni
France
Raymond Domenech could make some changes following a disastrous 4-1 thumping by Holland. Veteran defender Lilian Thuram could be axed but will probably be saved, while Samir Nasri is being tipped to return to the side to support veteran striker Thierry Henry. Patrick Vieira may play his first game of Euro 2008 if he can prove he is fit following his thigh injury, but he is still a doubt. William Gallas will start despite an ankle injury.
Possible Starting XI: Coupet; Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Evra; Ribery, Makelele, Toulalan, Malouda; Nasri, Henry
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Italy
Luca Toni: Has failed to make his mark on Euro 2008, but he was incredibly unlucky not to hit the back of the net during the draw with Romania, having a valid goal wrongly disallowed, and also seeing a header miraculously saved by Bogdan Lobont. If any Italian is to score against France surely it will be Toni.
France
Franck Ribery: Like his Bayern Munich team-mate and friend Toni, Ribery has also not really shone at the Euros but his class is without question. The only real creative force in the French team, Ribery must lead from the front. The pressure will be on Ribery as he aims to keep the French in Euro 2008.
PREDICTION
Games between the French and the Italians are always close encounters, and although both need to go for the win, these two teams know each other quite well and the possibility of a draw cannot be ruled out. However if the scores are level late in the game, and both know that a win will be enough to take them through, there could be chances as men are thrown forward in search of a goal. Neither wants to be eliminated and so it will come down to the team who wants it more, the Italians have not shown that they are ready for Euro 2008, nor has the French but the French will be victorious.
Italy 1-2 France
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